Please convince me getting this is a bad idea.

"Satish Kondapavulur" (becauseCAR)
10/25/2013 at 03:06 • Filed to: SAAAAAAAAAAAB!

It's a 1999 Saab 9-3 Convertible with the high-output turbo and 132K on the clock. And a manual. For $2900. Why should this stop me? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (28)

JDMatt > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:10

spare parts

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:12

Kinja'd!!!

Do it. Pull the trigger. Row through the gears with the top down.

Satish Kondapavulur > JDMatt
10/25/2013 at 03:13

I'll buy a parts car for $1000. (I do acknowledge this'll eventually become cars. ) Next!

Satish Kondapavulur > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/25/2013 at 03:14

Yeah. That'll get the girls...

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:16

Every 36 year old receptionist named Melissa will be running after you.

Your boy, BJR > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:17

Once the honeymoon to it, it gets old. Used to be a Saab fanatic. Like almost got a griffin tattoo fanatic. But now that I've driven every modern (post V4 era) Saab, and owning several I'm just like "meh." Even my Viggen is just a car to me now. Also the car can go 200k without needing anything, but if you let 1 thing slip by ("don't have the funds, I'll do it next month") that 1 thing turns into 2, then 5, then 7, then next thing you know, Most major components and systems are in various states of disrepair.

PRBot II > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:18

Kinja'd!!!

My 1999 9-3 convertible has 264,000 miles on the clock. Still going strong. The B204 engine is bulletproof.

And then there's this:

Doesn't throw a check engine light or anything. Cheap and easy mod. You can only do it for the 1999 9-3. 2000 and newer runs on the T7 system and throws the CEL.

Satish Kondapavulur > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/25/2013 at 03:18

No, that's the Volvo 240. For the Saab, it's more like the female flower children in their 50s and 60s. So even worse.

Satish Kondapavulur > Your boy, BJR
10/25/2013 at 03:24

Really? I liked the Viggen I drove, though it had many, many problems. I've never driven a V4 Saab though.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:25

Nah, flower children go after Subarus. You will get widows still in love with their dead husbands and alternative religion nuts.

Satish Kondapavulur > PRBot II
10/25/2013 at 03:26

You're tempting me, sir.

Do you care to be the recipient of my grief after the first four-figure service bill?

Satish Kondapavulur > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/25/2013 at 03:30

Unfortunately, all of that is true. Though the alternative religion nuts are sweet people. Just don't question the religion.

JDMatt > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:31

Now that I realize that your based in the bay area I do see this becoming more feasible. But before you buy, rewatch the top gear saab tribute, specifically the part where james tries to parallel park this type of clutch less-manual saab.

PRBot II > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:37

It'll be three figures, max. As long as you don't procrastinate on repairs and let problems accumulate, it'll be fine. I've had mine since '09. Before that, a '96 900S. Before that, a '94 900S. Basically I've been pushing the B204 since '01. I can tell you that the electronics are crap everywhere except the important stuff. So dead pixels are absolutely guaranteed...

Kinja'd!!!

But engine gauges always work. I say pull the trigger. Obviously it's not a track star, but with the turbo, highway acceleration is pretty decent.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:40

Very true. Like an abused rescue dog, just show them you wont hurt them and you might get a great relationship out of it.

PRBot II > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 03:48

Also, keep in mind that this is the kind of car 36-year-old receptionists named Melissa drive. Not some 17-year-old just learning to drive stick and thinks he's Ken Block. No shocker stickers here. These are rarely modified, rarely raced cars... Melissa probably took good care of it.

PRBot II > JDMatt
10/25/2013 at 03:49

This one won't have the clutchless manual. We didn't get that one over here in the US.

505Turbeaux > PRBot II
10/25/2013 at 08:43

I was looking for someone to say this about the dead pixels. BBA reman in Boston does the screens for 100$ a piece last I checked. Nice when they work!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 09:34

It's a terrible idea, because I want that engine and trans to jam in a Saturn LS to make a sleeper, and will say almost anything to make you give it to me instead.

PRBot II > 505Turbeaux
10/25/2013 at 11:37

That's a decent price. Boston is about a 3 hr drive for me, but definitely good to know!

505Turbeaux > PRBot II
10/25/2013 at 11:44

I believe free shipping both ways too!

PRBot II > 505Turbeaux
10/25/2013 at 12:01

Nice!

Satish Kondapavulur > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/25/2013 at 12:12

I'm sure the price could be negotiated down to $2500 instead...

Satish Kondapavulur > PRBot II
10/25/2013 at 12:14

Well, it did stall in neutral when my buddy was driving it. Oh Saabs.

Satish Kondapavulur > PRBot II
10/25/2013 at 12:15

The Viggen had that very problem and a constant chime which I could never find the source of. But I still liked it. But I'm probably going to look at that Saab again this weekend before my Oregon trip.

Satish Kondapavulur > JDMatt
10/25/2013 at 12:16

Thankfully we never got the Sensonic.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 12:21

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_L-…

Joking about that specific 9-3, of course, but I have a younger brother with an LS1 that I keep telling him needs the Saab turbo. Opel Vectra/GM 2900/Epsilon platform as well, so should fit...

Kinja'd!!!

PRBot II > Satish Kondapavulur
10/25/2013 at 12:35

I had a problem with stalling in neutral earlier this year. It just needed a either a new PCV hose or valve or something (can't remember which) but it was relatively cheap. You might be able to wrench it yourself, otherwise the shop bill with parts and labor should be somewhere in the $200 - 250 area.